St Hilda’s beat Bukit Panjang to win U13 boys final; Dunman overcome Xinmin to take third

By Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports

Hougang Sports Hall, Saturday, December 4, 2010 – St Hilda’s Secondary beat Bukit Panjang Government 2-0 (25-18, 25-20) to win the U13 Boys National Junior Volleyball Championship 2010 final. In the earlier 3rd/4th placing match, Dunman Secondary came from one set down to beat Xinmin Secondary 2-1 (16-25, 25-20, 15-9).

St Hilda’s took the first point of the match after Bukit Panjang’s setter committed a foot fault. St Hilda’s then opened the floodgates as they stormed to an 8-3 lead. Despite Bukit Panjang coming to within two points of St Hilda’s, the latter quickly extended their dominance by putting an eight point difference between them and their opponents. Despite trailing 9-17, Bukit Panjang were not going down easily as they fought hard in an attempt to stage a comeback. They continued holding St Hilda’s at bay as they earned point after point. With St Hilda’s at the 24-point mark, Bukit Panjang continued to hold them off, as they scored four consecutive points to save the set point. But it was not to be as Daryl Chai (Bukit Panjang #6) served out to allow St Hilda’s to take the set.

In the second set, Bukit Panjang kept on St Hilda’s heels as they tried hard to prevent their opponents from commanding a huge lead. However, St Hilda’s progressively increased their advantage, leading to Bukit Panjang to call a time out at the 14-7 mark. This stemmed St Hilda’s scoring streak momentarily as Bukit Panjang staged a comeback to draw within one point of St Hilda’s at 14-13. Bukit Panjang continued to keep the scores close and were constantly hot on the heels of their opponents. St Hilda’s were not going to allow Bukit Panjang to steal the set, and summoned all their strength for a final surge towards match point. Despite Bukit Panjang’s efforts to stage a comeback, it was insufficient as St Hilda’s took the set 25-20 to win the match.

Final score
St Hilda’s 2 Bukit Panjang 0
(25-18, 25-20)

In the earlier 3rd/4th placing match between Dunman Secondary and Xinmin Secondary, Dunman staged a comeback to upset Xinmin. Dunman had started off well to lead 4-0 in the first set, but Xinmin caught up to tie the score at 5-5. Xinmin went on to command a comfortable 12-7 lead, before blitzing ahead to lead 20-8. Dunman were unable to organise or find an answer to Xinmin’s attack, and fell short as Xinmin snatched the set 25-16.

The second set however saw Dunman find their footing. Xinmin initially started with the lead, but Dunman caught up at the 7-7 mark after mistakes from Xinmin. Xinmin were sorely missing their #2, as they were duly disadvantaged in their attacking strength. With the scores levelled at 15-15, Dunman turned the tables on Xinmin to command a five point lead. It was now Xinmin’s turn to play catch up as they saw Dunman storm ahead. Xinmin suddenly seemed to have stumbled, committing several mistakes to gift Dunman valuable points. Dunman soon took set point after the Xinmin #7 served out. Dunman then sealed the set after a bad receive by the Xinmin libero was unreturned.

In the rubber set, Dunman continued their form as they established a 6-3 lead over Xinmin. At the changeover, Dunman commanded a three-point advantage over their opponents. Xinmin suddenly found difficulty in chalking up points, allowing Dunman to run free. Xinmin were forced to call for a time out when they were trailing 5-12. Despite winning several points, they were unable to stop Dunman from taking match point after a well placed drop shot by Dunman was unreturned. Dunman then took the set after a spike by Xinmin went out of bounds.

Final score
Dunman 2 Xinmin 1
(16-25, 25-20, 15-9)

Editor’s note: If you recognise yourself or your team mates in any of the photos, please feel free to leave the names behind in the comments section and we will update accordingly. Thanks!